Sunday, 26 February 2017

On a walk along Caunsall Canal last Sunday morning I spoke with a gentleman birder who was passing and we exchanged our sightings which as it happened were nothing out of the ordinary, he did say that he had been watching displaying Goldcrests. As I carried on towards the area at Whittington Lock where Goldcrests are normally to be seen I spotted what looked to be a bird falling from a tree to the ground. On inspection with binoculars it turned out to be 2 Goldcrests that were motionless and looked for all the world to be dead! I took a few photo's and was amazed at what I had just witnessed. Then after a couple of minutes to my further amazement one the birds took flight followed under a minute later by the second bird! I presumed they were the displaying/ defending territories Goldcrests that the gentleman had been watching earlier.

The birds must have been locked together by claws or beaks as it looked as though just one bird had 'floated' down to the ground.

I was in the right place at the right time!

A quote from Oscar Wilde:To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect.

Wednesday, 22 February 2017

...it wasn't a note of a bird, it was Wild Boars in the Forest of Dean! The evidence of Wild Boars is clear to see with grassland, grass verges, parks etc rooted up by the powerful snouts of the boars.

10th-12th February.
It is a pitiful sight seeing so much devastation by the Boars though it did not spoil what was an enjoyable but very cold weekend in the Forest of Dean.

Highlights over the 2 days included Nuthatches, Robins, Chaffinch, Coal, Blue and Great Tits etc feasting on seed offered at various locations and the most Mandarin Ducks I have ever seen in one go, such stunners!

Beechenhurst Lodge, Forestry commission.

Beechenhurst is a popular country park with walking trails, picnic areas, cafe etc! On this visit there appeared to be no evidence of Wild Boar activity as there had been on my last visit when large areas of grass had been uprooted, it was not a pretty sight! It shows how the grasslands recover in time.
There were 25+ Song Thrushes seeking out worms on the grassy areas close by the visitor centre. I have never seen them in such numbers. Song Thrushes were heard singing in each area visited over the 2 days, delightful and uplifting especially on such cold and raw days as we were experiencing.!

The 'Food Bank' was busy!

Symonds Yat Rock.

Peregrine (seen twice in flight), Buzzard, Cormorant, Mallard, Coal, Great and Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Song Thrush and a brief view of a Treecreeper were the species seen on the walk up to the viewing point and whilst at the point.

Cannop Ponds

A series of manmade ponds that attract a good selection of bird life! Mandarin Ducks in good numbers were the highlight on this visit!

It was good to have paid a return visit to the Forest of Dean, hopefully on my next visit

Monday, 6 February 2017

05/06/2107
The fog started to clear early afternoon so a walk was on the cards! What a change from the previous sunny day! However the sun did break through the mist and fog at times making for a pleasant walk and a muddy one at times!

A Greenfinch enjoying the view.

A lone Mistle Thrush searching out a few worms.

Lovely to come across a male Stonechat! How do they not harm themselves on such sharp looking barbed wire!!!

Flocks of Yellowhammers and Chaffinch were seen in good numbers as they flew from tree to fields, repeating this process many times over.

Sunday, 5 February 2017

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happySunshine in my eyes can make me crySunshine on the water looks so lovelySunshine almost always makes me high
Sunshine, now that was yesterday and today we have a pea-souper which is unfortunately very slow to clear!
...................................................4th February.
What a welcome change to be out walking in the fresh air and in sunshine! I was still wrapped up well but did not need a hat during my walk and my gloves at times were also not needed. As I have mentioned it is foggy this morning and very cold so I am staying in the warm and posting on here instead of going on a planned canal walk, maybe later today it will be clearer.

Brake Mill Pools, West Hagley, was the area for my walk. I was there for almost 2 hours and I have to say the walking was minimal in the area covered but the species seen where a delight to see so no rush to move on at times.

Species seen were in no particular order: Pied Wagtail, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Grey Heron, Goosander, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Swan with her 4 cygnets ( I expect they will get their marching orders soon), Buzzard, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Magpie and a multitude of Gulls.

A quiet pool, that is until a couple of hours later.

2 male and 2 'female type ' Goosanders on the pool. Later on my walk to the larger pool I managed to spot through the dense trees 8 Goosander, 2 males and 6 'female type'.

A coot taking off after a wash and brush up!

Moorhen

Blue Tit

Enjoying the warm sunshine on his shoulders...and back and legs and head. :-)

Lovely to hear the bird song on my walk and of course Robin's more than played their part along with Song Thrushes!

Common Buzzards practising synchro flying!

On my return to the smaller pool several Gulls had arrived on the water and after a few minutes many more were to join them.

A Juvenile Iceland Gull had been reported in this area during late January, I wonder if there was a 'white winged' gull amongst them?

A lovely end to my walk sighting a Mistle Thrush in one of the fields alongside numerous gulls.